Mississippi House approves bill to bring relief to 'food deserts'

JACKSON — House members approved legislation Thursday that would give state support to owners of supermarkets and convenience stores so they could sell healthful foods in areas where fresh alternatives to fried foods are not available.

The Healthy Food Retail Act, which House members approved and sent to the Senate on a 114-4 vote, would require the Mississippi Development Authority to set up a loan program for market owners who want to give customers healthful food alternatives.

Restaurants would not be allowed to participate.

State health officials have said a lack of fresh food, especially in rural areas, causes "food deserts" and contributes to the state's perennial standing as the nation's most unhealthy state due to obesity and related health problems.

Those areas, along with some urban pockets, are considered fresh food deserts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture because no fresh food markets or farmers markets are within walking distance or along mass transit routes.

None of the food desert areas are in DeSoto County, but most of Tunica County and a portion of Marshall County are identified as food deserts by the USDA.

Public health officials have said the state's obesity rate and other health problems could be curbed if all Mississippians had access to grocery stores or supermarkets offering a variety of healthful foods and vegetables.

"This bill gives MDA the authority to establish a loan program for mom-and-pop stores and convenience markets."

The legislation did not provide loan rates, but that will be determined by officials in the Mississippi Development Authority, Barker said.

The legislation would authorize the MDA to work with local groups and advocates to determine who would qualify for grants — no state money would be used in grants — or loans to finance building or renovating supermarkets or grocery stores.

Money also could be available for farmers' markets, food cooperatives or other organizations that help food retailers in underserved areas obtain fresh produce.